Tie plate



May'l1, 1926. 1,583,774.

w. S. BOYCE TIE- PLATE Filed Nov. 16, 1925 the Patented May 11, "1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM S. BOYCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIE PLATE.

Application filed November 16, 1925. Serial No. 89,239.

This invention relates to improvements in tie plates, and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The object of the invention is to produce a tie plate which will have the maximum of thickness through those portions of the plate normally subject to greatest strain in track, and at the same time, save as much metal as possible in other parts of the plate, in order to reduce the cost thereof, Tie plates are generally sold by the ton and the saving of a very small amount of metal in each plate makes a very considerable money saving per mile in the cost of the plates to the railroads.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a tie plate made in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a side View of the same on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the bottom of late.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the bottom of a modified form of the plate.

As shown, the plate, indicated as a whole by the letter A, is of generally oblong form, and has a rail bearing surface 1 on its top, which may or may not. be cambered or crowned. As shown in this particular embodiment, the plate is cambered, as indicated at 2 in Figs. 1 and 2. The rail bearing surface may or may not be inclined or canted, as desired, although I have shown it herein as a canted plate. On the top surface of the plate, near oneend thereof, is the usual upwardly extending, transverse flange 3, the front face of which constitutes a rail abutting shoulder for the edge of the rail flange or base. The end 4 of the plate beyond the rail abutting shoulder is preferably inclined or tapered downwardly.

The bottom surface of the plate is recessed under each end and also under its central portion, the end recesses being indicated at 5 and 6, respectively, and the central recess at '7. On either side of the central recess 7 the plate has'a transversely extending, relatively narrow tie bearin member 8. The surface 9 of the these mem ers 8 is the initial tie bearing surface of the plate as a whole, while the bottoms of the recesses are the ultimate tie bearing surfaces.

Projecting downwardly from each relatively narrow member 8 is a transversely arproceed from the surface 11.

ranged rib 10, the rib extending from side margin to side. margin of the plate as a whole. The rib as'shown is non-pointed or blunt, so as not to cut the fibres of the tie, but to be readily pushed into the tie by a slight blow or pressure. The side margins or edges 11 and 12 of the members 8 are thrust bearing surfaces which, when the plate is seated in the-tie, cooperate in function ,with the shallow rib 10. It will be noted that the corners of the members 8' are not sharp but are rounded; this also for the purpose of avoiding the cutting of the tie fibres.

The thickness of the plate above the surfaces 9 of the members 8 is important, and is determined by engineering calculation based upon the maximum wheel loads to which the plate is to be subjected in usage as well as the weight of the rail and the size .of the plate. This thickness having been considered, it is desirable to make the recesses 5, 6 and 7 as deep as possible in order to remove as much metal as may be consistent with the efliciency of the plate. I have found that a very considerable amount of metal may-be removed in forming these recesses if I strengthen the plate under the recesses by the plurality of ribs, about to be described.

As shown, I provide in the median recess 7, a. plurality of ribs which extend from the inner surface 11 of one member 8 toward the inner surface 11 of the'other member 8. These ribs are indicated at 13 and it will be observed that they are tapered ribs, being thicker and deeper where they join and be noted that the ribs alternate With each other. It will further be observed" that the initial tie bearing edge 14 of each rib 13 is not sharp or pointed, but is blunt or rounded.

'In the plate shown in Figure 3, I have placed a similar set of ribs 15, 16, in the end recesses 6 and5, respectively, the ribs diminishing in thickness and in height from the surface 12 of the member 8 toward the end of the plate. In Figure 3, the ribs 15, 16, are in a. plane in prolongation of the ribs 13, located in the recess 7. This is not necessary in all cases, as said ribs 15, 16, may be otherwise located in the recesses 6, 5,'or may be entirely omitted. In Figure 4, I have shown as a modification, a portion of the plate in which the median recess It will also 7 is provided with the ribs 13 as before explained, but in which the end recess 5, for

example, is without the ribs.

Spike holes 17 may be punched through the plate at convenient places, as desired.

I claim as my invention: 7

'1. A tie plate having its bot-tomsurface recessed under each end of the plate and also under its central portion, the intermediate,

unrecessed portions being relatively narrow, and extending transversely of the plate and constituting initial tie bearing surfaces, tie engaging, tapered-ribs in the median recessed portion extending alternately from one narrow tie bearing surface toward the other.

2. A tie plate having its bottom surface recessed under each end of the plate and also under its central portion, the intermediate, unrecessed portions being relatively narrow, and extending'transversely of the plate and constituting initial tie bearing surfaces, tie

enga ing, tapered ribs in the median reccsse portion extending alternately from one narrow tie bearing surface toward the other, each of said ribs diminishing in height and-in width from said tie bearing surface.

3, A tie plate having its bottom surface recessed under each end of the plate and also under its central portion, the intermediate, unrecessed portions being relatively narrow, and extending transversely of the plate and constituting initial tie bearing surfaces, tie engaging, tapered ribs in the median recessed portion extending alternately from one narrow tie bearing surface toward the other, each of said ribs diminishing in height and in Width from said tie bearing surface, and having a non-sharp tie engaging edge.

4. A tie plate having its bottom surface recessed under each end of the. plate and also under its central portion, the intermediate, u'nre'cessed portions being relatievly nartively narrow, and extending transversely of the plate and constituting initial tie bearing surfaces, tie engaging, tapered ribs in'the median recessed portion extending alternately from one narrow tie bearing surface toward the other, each of said ribs diminishing in height and in width from said tie bearing surface, and aplurality of ribs beneath the recessed end of the plate, diminishing in height and thickness as said ribs extend longitudinally toward the end of the plate.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I alfix my signature this 11th day of November, 1925.

WILLIAM S. BOYCE. 

